Morning rundown: Fixing the post-Olympic swoon

The latest challenge of many this season for the Ducks is getting their Olympians to turn the page as precious time is running out of their already fading playoff hopes.

Scott Niedermayer seems to be the only one that has handled the letdown of returning to the NHL grind after the high of winning gold for Canada. Jonas Hiller hasn't been terrible but also isn't playing at the level he showed in Vancouver for Switzerland. Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne have had little impact. Ryan Whitney, of course, was traded before he played another game for the Ducks.

But it's the sluggish and error-laden play of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan that's been most disconcerting heading into another can't-lose game Tuesday night against Columbus. The topic of their current stuggles was brought up again after the morning skate.

"I think that's been an area of concern for us with our younger players," Coach Randy Carlyle said. "You have to understand that when the player goes up there and, specifically if you're playing for Canada, you've got 33 million people on your side rooting for you and pushing you. It's an emotional time.

"I feel the players went up there and played on adrenaline as part of it. And then when you come back, it seems like you're coming back to ... I guess the luster has gone. That's the reality of it."

Since most of those players in Vancouver have the biggest roles on the team, Carlyle has tried to get the group to move on from their Olympic accomplishments in light of the plaudits they received upon their return last week.

Especially the youngest ones who make up the top line.

"They have to kick-start it on the ice or off the ice," he said. "I think there's some work they can put in and I've told them so. That's what we're waiting for."

-- Another point of concern on their current three-game losing streak is their poor percentage in the faceoff circle. They've lost the battle on draws in each game and are 77 for 170 (45.3 percent) over that span.

Thing is they're not terribly good in that area to begin with as their 48.2 percent rate ranks 25th in the NHL. It is, what Carlyle said, part of the one-on-one battles inside the game that they're not currently winning.

"You've got to start with the puck," he said. "When you ask the players what zone they'd like to play in, they want to play in the offensive zone versus the defensive zone. If you're not starting with the puck at least 50 percent of the time, then you're at a huge disadvantage.

"That's part of the responsibility of the center icemen but yet there's wingers that are responsible for that too. If there's a 50-50 puck, they've got to be on their horse to get in and jump on it and push that [puck] back or push it into a possession situation. I think everybody has to accept some of the responsibility."

-- While he often makes in-game changes depending on the situation or the effectiveness of the groupings, Carlyle said he plans to stick with the same makeup for his four lines and pairings on defense. Most notably, Lubomir Visnovsky and Aaron Ward will continue to play together on the back end.

"We're going to give them five or six games to make sure that we give them every opportunity to mold together," the coach said. "We think that's the best way for this group to go forward. We have the option of tweaking a little bit on the bottom end depending on the opposition and we'll continue to do that."

Here's the line combinations and defense pairings (for the first period anyway):

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.